Check your wallets – Sunshine Coast RCMP is advising the public of reports of counterfeit $50 bills being used on the Sunshine Coast.
Counterfeit bills were discovered at three separate retailers on March 10, 11 and 12, said an RCMP news release.
The Bank of Canada website advises that there is no reimbursement for a counterfeit $50 – the person who accepted the bill takes the loss. It is a criminal offense to knowingly use or keep counterfeit bills.
If one suspects a note is counterfeit, advice from the Bank of Canada includes:
- "Politely refuse the note and explain that you suspect that it may be counterfeit.
- Ask for another note (and check it too).
- Advise the person to check the note with the local police.
- Inform your local police of a possible attempt to pass suspected counterfeit money.
- Be courteous. Remember that the person in possession of the bill could be an innocent victim who does not realize that the note is suspicious."
If you suspect you have a counterfeit bill, give it to police, says the Bank of Canada website. If it's a real bill, you'll get it back.
When checking American currency, some tips the US Currency Education program offers include:
- Check for foreign languages, “For Motion Picture Use Only” or the word “Replica."
- Feel the paper.
- Tilt the note and watch to see if the writing in the lower right corner changes colour.
- Hold the bill up to the light and check that the watermark and security belt are visible from both sides.
